Martha Cohen

Updated on Sep 27, 2024

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Name Martha Cohen Education University of Toronto		Died February 26, 2015

71 mhivc 2011 round 2 competitor 4 martha cohen c

Martha Ruth Cohen, CM, LLD (nee Block; 1920 – February 26, 2015) was a Canadian community activist and philanthropist.

A member of the Order of Canada, she and her late husband Harry (1912–1990) raised four children, while spearheading a variety of major civic projects. Born in Calgary, Alberta, her parents were Rebecca and Peter Block.

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Education

Bachelor of Arts, University of Alberta (1940)

Master Diploma of Social Work, University of Toronto (1945)

Achievements

Chairwoman of the Board for the Calgary Centre for the Performing Arts during the planning, financing and constructing of this major facility. Martha and her associates raised some $15 million of private funding toward the creation of the Centre.

Chairwoman of the Mount Royal College Board of Governors during the period of planning, financing, and constructing a new campus. As such, she became the first woman to head a higher educational institution in Alberta.

Chairwoman of William Roper Hull Home for Boys and Girls.

Chairwoman of the Providence Creche.

Founder/Past Executive Director of the Calgary Jewish Family Service.

Vice-Chairwoman of Old Sun Community College at Gleichen, Alberta.

President of the National Council of Jewish Women of Canada

Councillor, Alberta Order of Excellence (1980-1985)

Harry and Martha Cohen Foundation

The Harry & Martha Cohen Foundation is a private family foundation which provides grants primarily to Calgary-based charities. In her role as executive director of the Foundation, Cheryl Cohen oversees all applications and grant decisions.

Harry and Martha Cohen Award

In 1985, Harry and Martha's four children (Philip, Cheryl, Faye, and David) established an annual award for individuals making outstanding contributions to the Arts.

Martha Cohen Theatre

In 1983, Martha Cohen's late husband, Harry, a successful Calgary businessman, donated $1 million to have a theatre named at the Calgary Centre for the Performing Arts in honor of Martha Cohen's birthday.

Dr. Martha Cohen School

On May 4, 2015, the Calgary Board of Education (CBE) announced that it would name a new Middle School (located in New Brighton/Copperfield) after Martha Cohen. Describing her as one of the city’s foremost humanitarians and philanthropists, the CBE expects the new school to open by September, 2016. The Dr. Martha Cohen School is anticipated to provide educational programming for approximately 900 students (Grades 5-9) and will be located at 1750 New Brighton Drive S.E.

Awards

Prime Minister Medal, State of Israel Bonds (1970)

Order of Canada (1975)

Alberta Achievement Award (1975)

Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal (1977)

Sesquicentennial Year Plaque, University of Toronto (1977)

Calgary Citizen of the Year (1979)

Honorary doctorate, University of Calgary (1982)

Boy Scouts of Canada Medal (1984)

Variety Club International Lifeliner Medal (1984)

City of Calgary, Centennial Award of Merit (1985)

Scopus Award, Canadian Friends of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem (1994)

Distinguished Citizen Award, Mount Royal College (1995)

Honorary Bachelor of Applied Communications, Mount Royal College (1995)

Angel Award, International Society for the Performing Arts (ISPA), New York (1995)

Great Minds Banner, 175th Anniversary, University of Toronto (2002)

Alberta Centennial Medal (2005)

Distinguished Alumni Award, Calgary Board of Education (2006)

Best of Alberta Award, Calgary Herald (2008)

Global News Woman of Vision (2009)

Western Legacy Award, 100 Outstanding Albertans, Calgary Stampede (2012)

References

Martha Cohen Wikipedia

(Text) CC BY-SA